THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17990, 6 February 1924, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

JOTTGWK FOR FAKSZEES*

is understood that back conntry tallies are considerably short, being quite as bad, if not worse than was expected. I t i s t j, e wors t season in this respect since 191 S. Coupled with a bad lambing, this condition of affairs will not leave the back country owner much, if any margin, in spite of the good prices being realised for the wool clip. KAIKOURA. Recently Mr W. Girling, made a trip from the south en route to Blenheim, but was not permitted to have his car transferred across the Clarence, and it had to remain on the Kaikoura side. 1 esterday, however, the car was put on the punt and safelv ferried across tho river. Both the Marlborough and K-ai-koura Progress Leagues have forwarded letters "to the Minister, advocating facilities for transferrins; cars over the I river, and now that one car has safely ; negotiated the river in tho punt, there [ should be no difficulty in extending the same facilities to owners of cars in the county and those from north and south. Much will depend on the state of the river as to whether motor vehicles can cross on the punts, but there should be no difficulty provided a larger punt is used. Considerable traffic has lieen diverted to the Coast as a result of this river being microssablc during the past nine months, and private car owners north and south have been put to considerable expense and inconvenience thereby. A boon will be conferred on settlers and the travelling public if the Department will take serious steps to restore the bridge. Riles are on the site, and a derrick is being erected for the purpose of preparatory work prior to placing the cylinders in position, but at least eighteen months will elapse before the bridge is reconstructed. The Hapuku approach is safe at present, and provided no big flood takes place, the approaches offers no obstruction to traffic. The Kowhai river needs urgent attention, as the lecst fresh in the river blocks traffic. Extra spans are to bo constructed at the Kowhai, but it is essential that the work should be expedited, otherwise difficulties will arise in the rainy season. RANGIORA. Superintendent A. H. Tyler, of the Rangiora Volunteer Fire Brigade, who has left Rangiora and gone into business at Reefton, tendered his resignation as Superintendent at a meeting of tho Fire Brigade, held on Monday night. The resignation was accepted with regret, and it was decided to convene a special meeting in about a fortnight's time to consider tho appointment of a successor.

Tho monthly meeting of -the Rangiora Bowling, Tennis and Croquet Club was held on Monday, Mr W. A. Rowse presiding. The chairman referred to the loss by the death of Mr H. A. Archdall and Mr F. Sharp, two prominent members of the club, and more especially of the bowling section, and moved that letters of sympathy be sent to Mrs Archdall and Mrs Sharp, and also that a record be placed on the minutes appreciative of their past services. The motion was carried, members standing in silence. Three new members were elected and one resignation was accepted. The treasurer's statement showed the finances to be in a very satisfactory position. ELLESMEKE. The quarterly meeting of the Springston Methodist Circuit was held in the lempleton Church. The Rev. J W Parker presided. Tho balance-sheet showed a debit, but was incomplete, owing to some of the returns not being to hand. The membership roll was 141. Church anniversary services are to be held during the coming quarter at Broadfields, Ellesmere and Weedons and a Sunday School anniversary at Sprmgston. The Retv. J". W. Parker spoke roost hig~Ty of fl'ie good work done by Mr J. ,Mackio (Templeton) both in the bunday School and church. The sum of £6l 12s Id was collected during the year for Foreign Mission. Messrs H. Sowden and W. H. Peryman were elected circuit stewards. Mr R. Chamberlain was appointed to attend conference and Mrs McMillan as substitute. Letters of sympathy were sent to Mr Major in the death of his wife, also to Mr and Mrs Stanley in the sickness of members of their family, and a letter of appreciation to the late editor of tho "Methodist Times." Mr Hansen gave a brief report of his visit to Synod.

LEESTON. The annual meeting of the Ellesmere Domaia Board, held at Leeston on Monday, was attended by Messrs E. J. Cowan (chairman), W. J. Lemon, R. T. McMillan, and the secretary (Mr W. Scott). Mr H. Neave sent an. apology for absence, being away from the district. The annual report gave an ouv.line of the work done during the year, and the work proposnd 'for the ensuing year. The large domain was let for grazing purposes to Messrs Galpin Bros, at £IOO per annum, the lease having over a year to run. Gamble Reserve, at the Rakaia mouth, was held on lease by Mr J. XL Hampton at a rental, of £137 5s Cd per annum, the lease having five years'to run. In the statement of accounts the receipts were given as £783 4s Bd, inclusive of a balance of £393 15s 5d from the previous year. The expenditure was £430 6s 5d less than the receipts. The assets totalled £530 6s 5d (bank balance £l3O Gs sd, war bonds £3OO, cash advanced to tiie Southbridge Recreation Ground Committee for two years £100). On account of leaving the district, Mr W. Scott, who has been secretary of the Board for 19 years, tendered his resignation. This was accepted with regret, to take effect from the end of February. Appreciative references to Mr Scott's work were made by tho members. It was decided to call applications for tho position. Mr Cowan was re-elected chairman. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr H. Neave for carrying out the secretarial duties during Mr Scott's absence on a visit to the Old Country.

The committee of the Leeston Pu*7lc School met on Monday. A communication was received from Sir 11. Heaton Rhodes, M.P., stating that the application for a grant for a new school residence at Leeston to replace the one burned down would receive sympathetic consideration from the Minister of Education. It was understood that the house would be built upon another site, as the present one would be required flater for school buildings. The chairman tendered a cordial welcome to the new headmaster, Mr F. J. Mottiam, and hoped that they would have the benefit of his suggestions at future meetings. Mr Mottram, in reply, thanked the members for the assistance they had already rendered him in his new sphere of activity. A vote of thanks was passed to the residents who had extended hospitality to the concert party at Leeston recently. Members reported that the picnic at Coe's Ford had been successful.